It wasn’t planned, there was no forethought.
We had just stepped off the boat from our first snorkeling excursion along a Caribbean coral reef, when Rosie landed at the foot of my padded beach lounger. While kaleidoscopic visions of tropical fish danced around my saltwater-logged head–much the way cartoon stars encircle Wile E. Coyote when his Road Runner nemesis bests him again–Rosie made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.
A new hair-do.
Truth be told, my first answer was "no"–her initial offer WAS something I could refuse, $2/braid. But then, my husband prodded me along, and she coaxed me to come look at a few pictures, and I quizzed her previous victim client who had an adorable braided "do" not stopping to consider she was all of 25…and after some intense negotiation, I was in.
At the time, it didn’t overly concern me I had a) just returned from a boat ride and my hair was tangly and nappy, b) JUST SOAKED MY HAIR IN SALT WATER FOR AN HOUR, and c) in Antigua, this look was typical…in Tennessee…in
the Fall…I’d be a freak show walking.
I’m stalling…you’re here for the pictures. Let’s look first at the process–here’s Rosie in action:
See? I wasn’t exaggerating–t.a.n.g.l.y. n.a.p.p.y. hair.
Next, me with a do-rag trying to hide the evidence…the sunglasses do a great job of keeping me incognito, huh? The big wrinkle across my forehead (which you won’t notice unless you super-size the piccha, so I wouldn’t recommend it) is NOT a worry line…it’s a snorkel mask indentation…very lovely.
And last…a view from behind. It really is cool….
It has been odd to be back in Tennessee this time of year, with braids and a tan. Feeling VERY self conscious, our first night back, I went to Wally World for groceries. After receiving thousands hundreds dozens of gawk-eyed looks, I couldn’t have loved the four people more–two Wal-Mart staffers and two customers–who said kind things to me about the braids "looking nice"….if someone has a weird hairdo, I encourage you to find something positive to say, even if it’s a total stranger…trust me, she’ll want? need? to hear it.
In case you’re wondering, some FAQs about the braided "do" (these are things I have in fact, been frequently asked, actually a surprise to me):
How long did it take?
About three hours…but I’ve never had a more beautiful "studio" (lol, a resin chair, under a lone tree on the beach, overlooking the Caribbean).
How many braids do you have?
57…Rosie counted.
How much did it cost?
Less than Rosie’s original quote, but she threatened me if I told. She didn’t look like the kind of chick I’d wanna cross.
Did it hurt?
Only the little ones around my face.
How long will it stay in?
Rosie said up to 3-4 weeks, but I’ve already lost some beads. Rachel and I replaced some of them with orthodontic rubber bands last night (lol). Her braces came in handy for more than just straightening teeth! I’ll probably unbraid it by Friday…that’s over a week of this monkey business.
Does it bother you to sleep?
Surprisingly, no. It DID bother Tad when I put my head on his shoulder.
When my (sister, friend, whoever) had their hair braided, it FELL OUT when they took it down…are you worried about that?
Well, thankyewverymuch, NOW I am! And even more so when I read this (scroll down) and this (since I did NOTHING it suggests to "prepare" my hair AND it was drenched in salt water when we began)!
Can you wash it?
Yes, but I only wash my scalp, not my braids. And it feels sooooo good to scratch in between the parts, lol.
Who knew your hair could be such a conversation starter?
Well, Robin, that looks fun! How do you wash it like that?
I am in awe! When in Rome…oh, wait, Rome’s in Georgia and Texas! Is there one in Tennessee?
Seriously, great vacation look.
They look very cute and the beach your sitting on looks fabulous!
I’m sure your hair will be fine lots of my friends had it done on the beach in Acapulco last year and their hair was ok – lots of conditioner when there out though!
It is really fun to take out. Good luck with that.
Oh, and your hair does look lovely. 🙂
I like the braids, ya look good! I can imagine how strange it would be to come home to fall weather when you are all suited up for summer fun, with braids and a tan 😀
personally, i LOVE the braids. they look good on you (and go well with the tan and the snorkel mark).
as for taking them out… um… good luck. we’re all pullin’ for ya (heh).
That was Rosie?? I thought it was Rocco! oh, nice Do (seriously).
Suz, v e r y carefully ;).
Sandy, since I’m a short timer in TN, I had to google to find out (ha!)…as far as I can tell, nope, no Rome, TN.
Alix, my daughter will be helping me, no doubt about that! It can’t possibly take as long as having it done, though.
Beckie, you’re scaring me daggum it…:/.
VERY weird, MaryMert…I had to change clothes in the Miami airport cause we knew it’d be cooler by the time we got to NC!
Janet, why thank you (and I’ll be sure to take pictures of the “un-do”).
Willowtree, ummmm…you don’t know the half of it ;)…but thanks.
Robin, you look darlin’! My mom used to braid my hair when I was younger so I could take it out the next morning and have crimped hair. They have wands for that now – although I too am too old for crimps. Oh well.
SO cute! Always wanted this done, but never had the nerve.
So…that money in your hand? Was that for Rosie, or to keep the drinks comin’?
Wait til you try to take those beads out, galfriend. Be sure to check out the first pic on my Mun Fonday post this week.
We could be sisters. Nah, maybe mother-daughter.
I promise you if all your hair falls out I WILL compliment you on your beautiful skull. Really!!! I will!!!
Robinella, I bet mine will be the crimpiest EVAH when I take this down…we’ll take pictures to document the “occasion” ;).
Tiggerlane, hehe, SOOOooo observant, you are. I was holding ROSIE’S money; she also makes handmade jewelry, and someone had dropped by to pay her from necklaces they bought…I guess she knew I didn’t have any pockets I could “hide” it in.
Swampy, closer to sisters (but if you consider how young my dad’s wife was, maybe you COULD be my “mom” 😉 ).
Pamela…I’ve felt my skull…it ain’t beautiful!
I love, love, LOVE the “behind” picture…..you have to do something with that one – to bad it wouldn’t work as a blog header……..hmmm.
Btw – I think you look amazing, girl!
Wow… SO cool! Those pics are fab! You forgot one question though, that I’m seriously curious about. Do you wash it? My scalp gets itchy and flaky if I don’t wash my hair for more than two days. And then I start getting little acne bumps around my forehead. I need to know! LOL
Maria
http://www.jubileeonearth.com
I love it. A friend of mine had hers done on a cruise a couple of years ago. You remind me of her in your comment about the other girls being 25. I think some people older than 25 can pull it off. I am not one of them. I am overweight, have broad shoulders and a small head. You can see where I am going with this… a lamp stand with a night light bulb covered in velcro (the rough side). Not a pretty sight.
You on the other hand look great, and what a great experience.
That looks so great! I’ve always wanted to do that, but I never wanted to spend the money. Very cool.
Bo Derek ain’t got nothin’ on you, Robin!
LOVE IT!
How adorable you look. How brave too!
Robin
you look great!! Like Susan said, Bo D. ain’t got nothin’ on ya!!
Don’t worry about the hair falling out…I think what actually happens is that all the hair you normally “shed” every day builds up so when you take out the braids, all that hair that would have been brushed out, washed out etc, will come free and it’ll freak you out because you’ll wonder how can a person lose that much hair!! I think people normally shed about 50-100 hair/day!!
http://menshealth.about.com/cs/hairhairloss/f/normal.htm
uh, yeah, it says men’s health but it counts for women too!!
i love it…and it brought to mind the kenny chesney song that mentions the words “baby dreads”….
will you take a pic when you undo them? that’s gonna feel weird i bet too! 😉
Robin Bo Derek – hee hee. Did you run down the beach for Tad?
I think it looks awesome. I doubt you have any damange – you haven’t left it in for Months – only a couple of weeks.
OH my goodness you are such a hottie. LOVE IT!!
It looks great. The comments made me laugh lots though. I hope your hair doesn’t fall out 🙂
Looks great! I’ve done that to my daughter’s hair a few times, but it doesn’t look nearly as good as what Rosie did!
Very cool! I wish I had the courage to go dreadlocks!
You look great. I remember Beccy had braids when she was at UNI and a few years ago Mollie had it done. You should challenge everyone to show photos!
OMG! You look like Bo D’s TWIN! I like it best wish the DoRag too….While in Key West, many stopped and asked if I wanted this…..No Way Jose!!! You are much cuter!! And younger!!
Looks like even here in Spain it’s become typical for tourists to have braids done on the beach or on the street.
You can find women offering these services almost everywhere during summer!